275 Newsletter - April

Celebrating together in our 275 anniversary year

SUPPORT

ALIFE-CHANGING START

DAVID M LANE (1969-1976, GOVERNOR 2022-PRESENT)

Strong institutions are the making of our society, and none more so than those entrusted with education. For me Kingswood was and is one such.

The teachers and my fellow pupils at Kingswood School laid many foundations for my life. Confidence in myself to lead things (Mr Smith, Mr Campbell). A love of Sport (Mr Lewis). An interest in Science and the curiosity to pursue something because it is interesting (Mr Ede). A love of the outdoors, adventure and endurance (Mr Lewis). A taste for jazz and improvisation (Mr Thorne), and an encyclopaedic knowledge of 70s progressive rock (all my school mates).

In this issue we are featuring some of the old dormitories of the School where I had the privilege to be a boarder. I remember them fondly, little changed between the 1930s and the

1970s. They appear spartan by today’s standards but didn’t seem so to us. They were an important place where community emerged with the discipline of self-organisation, minimalist living and washing in cold water, all of which prepared me well for independent living at University and beyond. They also re-enforced the House system and the sense of belonging and competition that connects and binds the School community.

Living accommodation in houses is homelier now, the infamous dirty socks bin is no longer available for pranks and duvets preclude making apple-pie beds. But the community and independence benefits of being a

“...the community and independence benefits of being a border are still present and valued by today’s pupils...”

border are still present and valued by today’s pupils growing up.

Old Upper House Dormitories

I’ve been struck how the School values of integrity, compassion, courage and respect in the Weslyan tradition have endured as the community and fabric have evolved. And I’ve been impressed by the confidence and ability to articulate of many of the pupils. Were we this good back in the day?

I well recall in the early 1970s the Dixon was a prestigious modern facility where Sixth Formers felt grown-up and prepared for the transition to University and the world. This need continues today, making the refurbishment of this faithful but now weary building important. A donation towards this would benefit all pupils and staff as well as the broader community who might use it.

METHODIST MODERN ART EXHIBITION ARRIVES AT KINGSWOOD HERE

FOR THE SUMMER TERM!

As part of the 275 celebrations, Kingswood is hosting the 2023 Methodist Education International Conference with ‘Transforming Lives’ being the theme.

Finally, social mobility is a mark of a caring society and so for me, the KS 275 Bursaries are vital to broaden access to the life-changing start the School offers. Even a small donation to the KS 275 appeal could contribute to transforming someone’s whole life – what could be more impactful?

David Lane Governor

The Methodist Modern Art Collection is a selection of over 50 works, including some by well-known artists such as Graham Sutherland, Elisabeth Frink, William Roberts, Patrick Heron, offering an exploration of Christian themes to a wide audience. In the early 1960s the collection was housed at Kingswood School, with individual items being lent to other Methodist schools and colleges.

Part of the collection will be hosted at Kingswood, with ten pieces of work reflecting themes of Methodist Education.

G.Howard - Washing of Feet; J.Sahi - Dalit Madonna, from the Methodist Modern Art Collection © TMCP, used with permission www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

We look forward to enjoying an exciting line-up of events for our 275 anniversary year.

MAY

SUMMER TERM

• Methodist Modern Art Exhibition

The collection of ten pieces of art is here for the Summer Term and offers an exploration of Christian themes reflecting Methodist Education. The exhibition can be viewed by appointment only.

To arrange your viewing of this special exhibition please email Rev. Katy Thomas.

THURSDAY 4 MAY

• 275 Anthology Launch – Commemorating 275 years Kingswood Chapel – 6.30pm to 7.45pm Book your place now.

WEDNESDAY 10 MAY

• Hong Kong Reception – Evening

SATURDAY 13 MAY

• Tokyo Reception – Evening

To join either of these international reception events, please contact Graham Papenfus: gpapenfus@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

TUESDAY 23 MAY

• Sophie Montagne – Polar Performance Ice Maidens Expedition, Kingswood Theatre, 6.15pm Sophie is a former journalist and luxury marketer who took on the Ice Maidens challenge, despite her fear of the cold and aversion to physical activity. She underwent intense training and overcame personal obstacles, eventually being selected for the final team. The experience was transformative, giving her confidence and a new perspective on her abilities. Sophie will share her journey and the lessons she learned from participating in the Ice Maidens challenge. Click here to find out more | This lecture will also be streamed live – book your place now.

WEDNESDAY 24 MAY,

• Afternoon Tea with Gary Best, previous Kingswood Headteacher Association Café – 4.30pm to 6.30pm

We would like to invite you to the launch of Gary Best’s latest book, ‘A School Set Apart’.

Gary was Headmaster at Kingswood from 1987 – 2008 and will be joining us for Afternoon Tea in the Association Café. The book is £15 per copy. If you are unable to join us for the event we can arrange posting for £20. Payment can be made online. Please choose ‘Association Payment’ type. There will also be an opportunity to buy a 275 celebratory tie for £10, payment can also be made online.

Please contact Michele Greene to book your place: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

JUNE

FRIDAY 9 JUNE

• 275 Community Golf Day

Cumberwell Golf Club

Everyone welcome. Please contact Michele Greene if you are interested in playing either on your own or in your own fourball: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

THURSDAY 15 JUNE

• Nairobi Reception

Please contact Michele Greene to join this even. mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

FRIDAY 23 JUNE

• 275 Celebration Supper

Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a lovely supper cooked by our School Chefs in the School Dining Hall – guests welcome. Please contact Michele Greene: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk | £15 per person

SATURDAY 24 JUNE

• 275 Celebration Day – Details TBC

Open to Old Kingswoodians. An opportunity to return to School for Class Reunions, a Chapel Service and School lunch. Please contact Michele Greene for further details or to book: mgreene@kingswood.bath.sch.uk

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

• The Modern Maverick, Ed Haddon Kingswood Theatre, 6pm

This lecture will also be streamed live – book your place now.

275 CELEBRATORY TIE COMPETITION

WINNER... SIXTH FORMER, TILLY BANKES

In 2012, I began my journey at Kingswood School in Year 3, with a burning passion for Art, Drama, Music, and Design Technology. Mrs Fox, my Prep School Art Teacher, was the driving force behind my pursuit of Art, which has now become a defining aspect of my life.

My interest in the arts has helped me appreciate the significance of creative problem-solving and the positive impact it has on our mental wellbeing.

I was excited by the tie competition so decided to participate. Textile manipulation and design have always intrigued me, and this project presented a unique opportunity to explore a new world of design. I wanted my designs to represent Kingswood’s 275 years of history by celebrating the diverse aesthetics and movements that have shaped the institution. The glamour and elegance of the 1950s Art Deco era heavily influenced my initial designs, incorporating bold motifs and unforgettable patterns.

As with any design project, the tie designs underwent numerous

iterations, and this experience has been invaluable in shaping my future. I have gained insight into the behindthe-scenes workings of the marketing team, from selecting specific colour palettes, designing for a specific audience, inclusivity and to choosing the right type fonts to produce a polished final product.

The entire design process was exhilarating, and seeing the final design come to life on the sample fabric was a surreal and magical experience. It has only strengthened my resolve to continue studying Art and pursue a career in Design. I am delighted to have been accepted to Edinburgh University College of Art next year, and I am confident that this course will help me develop the skills I honed during this project. I am immensely grateful to Kingswood

for this opportunity to showcase my passion and talent. The images above show the design process I took.

£10

WHY GIVE?

Giving back to others is an important aspect of living a fulfilling and meaningful life. It allows us to make a positive impact on the world around us and demonstrate our love and compassion for our community. Giving selflessly and without expecting anything in return can also bring us a sense of fulfilment and help us grow as individuals.

Overall, the act of giving is a way to make a positive difference in the world and contribute to the greater good.

John Wesley believed that giving is an essential part of living a fulfilling and meaningful life, and that it allows us to make a positive impact on the world around us. Wesley’s words “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

remain an important part of the life at Kingswood, through pupils raising funds for local charities such as Julian House as well as further afield.

In his Welcome in the January edition of this newsletter, Andrew GordonBrown shared that our 275 Campaign was now live. He invited our

community to support the Campaign as we look to raise £2.75m towards:

The Cookery School

Offering enrichment and co-curricular cookery for students and staff through Leiths prestigious Certificate in Food and Wine qualification. The Kingswood Cookery School will also offer training and commercial courses for our community.

Transformational Bursaries

Renewing our commitment to expanding the access to life-changing education to more students who or may overcome significant obstacles in pursuit of their education.

The Sixth Form Centre

A inspirational and creative study area preparing Sixth Formers for higher education and the world of work, whilst fostering a sense of community and space for collaborative work.

GRAHAM PAPENFUS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

GRATEFUL FOR £1M RAISED SO FAR

I am extremely grateful for the many gifts we have received towards the campaign, resulting in over £1m donated and pledged so far. Included in this total is more than £250,000 in the form of legacies from Old Kingswoodians who have included Kingswood in their Will, thereby becoming members of our 1748 Society. There are still a number of naming opportunities for larger gifts as well as opportunities to have your gift recognised on our 275 pathway at the front of the Senior School.

HOW CAN YOU HELP MAKE AN IMPACT?

Our immediate priorities are:



+£500,000 received and pledged so far towards our target of £1m. This leaves a further £400,000 (+ Gift Aid) to allow this very exciting project to go ahead

SUPPORTING OUR 275 CAMPAIGN AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN TO YOU

You can help make a huge impact by supporting our campaign by making your gift tax-efficient.

If you are giving personally, and you are a UK taxpayer, you can declare that your contribution should be treated as a Gift Aid donation. Gift Aid is a government scheme that allows charities to reclaim the tax that has already been paid on donations made by a UK taxpayer. This means your donation will be worth an extra 25%, at no extra cost to you.

Through the Gift Aid scheme you can help us reach our target.

The information shown indicates how both you and our 275 Campaign can benefit from Gift Aid.

you can claim through your selfassessment tax return

WAYS TO GIVE “A SCHOOL SET APART”, WRITTEN BY GARY BEST

Still have questions?

Should you have any questions about supporting the Kingswood 275 Campaign, please contact:

With your continued support, the Cookery School will open in early 2024 and lifechanging opportunities via our Transformational Bursary fund will reach more students.

(Kingswood Headmaster 1987 to 2008)

£15 (£20 inc P&P)

Pre-order your copy of Gary Best's latest book

A journey through time, tracing the legacy of Kingswood School and its Alumni from 1748 to 2023, as we commemorate 275 years of excellence in education.

HOW TO ORDER

A journey through time, tracing the legacy of Kingswood School and its Alumni from 1748 to 2023, as we commemorate 275 years of excellence in education

How to order

Click on the QR Code to order and pay for your book, choosing the 'Association' payment type

If you have opted for posting then please add your address in the payment description box

Click on the QR Code to order and pay for your book, choosing the ‘Association’ payment type. If you have opted for posting then please add your address in the payment description box.

A HISTORY OF Kingswood

FOCUSING ON NUMBER FOUR

EARLY HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL DORMITORY

The dormitories at Kingswood have gone through many transformations over the years.

This nineteenth century cartoon depicting a dormitory in New Kingswood School shows one boy who has failed to respond to the command “All up”!

YOUR MEMORIES

Do you have fond memories of your time at Kingswood that you would like to share with the community?

If so, we would like to hear from you.

A Dormitory in the 1930s

“At six in the morning in summer and at half past six in the winter, one of the master’s came in … lighted a solitary dip in a tin shade, if it was required, and cried with considerable energy ‘All up.’ Every boy sprang or tumbled out of his little crib… (Soon) the master was back again in the bedroom, and gave the next word of command: ’To the end of your beds’, then ‘Kneel down’ on which we were supposed to say our prayers…”

The dormitories and their facilities were recalled by Edward D. Roberts in 1927:

“...Behind each bed was a cubicle with a basin (cold water only), a mirror, a locker, a peg for clothes, a seat and under the seat a chamber-pot. Clothes were not kept there but in “alcoves”… Each Saturday we collected our best suits from the alcoves and took them to the dormitory to wear on Sunday. Clean linen was put out on the beds each Sunday; a shirt had to last a week, but there was a second collar provided mid-week. Each boy had to supplement the blankets and counterpane provided by the School. The dormitories were heated in winter by large-diameter central heating pipes, but at night windows were open for fresh air and sometimes it was helpful to have one’s dressing-gown on the bed …”

We would very much like to include some of your most treasured moments from your time at Kingswood. Whether it was a particular event, a memorable teacher, or a group of friends that made a lasting impact on you, we want to know about it! Simply send an email with your memory, to marketing@kingswood.bath.sch.uk, keeping them to a maximum of 150 words and you could see your memory in the next edition.

Zoë

Cartoon taken from, The Kingswood Magazine, June 1991, page 36

A page from the 1909 illustrated prospectus showing the old Upper House Dormitory (today in part the Examination Hall)

Parsons, Archivist

“All up” was a traditional cry as recalled by an Old Boy who was a boy at the School between 1843 and 1848: